With this easy method, overcooked pasta is a thing of the past. However, if you need to use fine salt, I recommend using just slightly more than half that amount. Kosher salt - I use 2 teaspoons per pound of pasta. You could also substitute chicken broth, if you desire, but I recommend omitting the kosher salt if you do so. This works out to approximately 4 cups for one pound of dry pasta. Small delicate pasta shapes (ditalini, acini de pepe, etc.) will likely overcook and are best prepared on the stovetop, as is gluten-free pasta, which can turn into a gummy mess.Ĭold water - just enough liquid so that the the pasta is barely covered will be enough to cook the pasta through without triggering a burn notice. Long thin pastas, like fettuccine and spaghetti noodles, require a slightly different treatment, which I’ll address in a separate post. In this case, I’m specifically referring to hearty short pasta varieties, such as penne pasta, bowtie pasta, rigatoni, shells, etc. Your preferred brand of short dry pasta - like the regular kinds of pasta you find in a box or cellophane bag, NOT a refrigerated fresh pasta. So really all you need is pasta, water, and kosher salt. WHILE YOU’RE AT IT, LET’S BE FRIENDS! FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST FOR MORE EASY RECIPE IDEAS.įor the purposes of this quick & basic tutorial, we’re going to be cooking plain pasta in the Instant Pot. PIN IT NOW, MAKE IT LATER! CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS RECIPE. Who’s ready to make some Instant Pot pasta with me?! Let’s get started… ✔ produces foolproof perfectly cooked delicious pasta ✔ is totally hands free, no stirring or worrying about it boiling over ✔ uses less water than the stovetop version so no need to drain ✔ shaves precious minutes off of meal prep I know, I know, you’re probably thinking: “But it’s already so easy to just boil a pot of water on the stovetop…” YES, it totally works, AND it’s a total weeknight game changer. Honestly, I can’t believe that it took me so long to try cooking pasta in the Instant Pot, but it’s quickly become one of my favorite recipes. I’ll be exploring a variety of different Instant Pot basics and the ways they can be used to create quick and easy recipes that help get dinner on the table fast - starting with PASTA!! So I’ve decided that 2021 is going to be the Year of the Instant Pot… I’ve been an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker owner for 4+ years at this point, but it occurred to me recently that I haven’t really been utilizing it to its fullest potential. If you’ve ever wondered: “Can you cook pasta in an Instant Pot?”, the answer is YES!! Cooking pasta in the Instant Pot is the quickest and easiest way to perfectly cooked al dente pasta every time… AND this method works with your favorite regular pasta!

Plain pasta noodles